Readers/Scanning (onsite)

There are 5 types of 'Readers'.

Status Readers which are used to log attendees who have scanned in, access control, and can be used to change fields for attendees who scan in. This is the most common 'Reader' we use.
'Attendance scanner' is used to take attendance of a group that is attached to the reader. When creating the reader you add the group ID and this reader type will have ‘Not Present’ where all attendees in that group start and then once they scan in the attendees get moved to ‘Present’. This shows who has scanned in for that group.
'Form scanner' is used to fill out a form after scanning. You create a form and then attach to the readers. When attendees scan in the form will pop up and the attendee will need to fill it out. This is commonly used for consent forms.
'Enrollable scanner' is used for enrollable sessions. When setting up the reader you will attach an enrollable item. When the reader is setup and attendees are scanning the reader will check to see if the attendee is enrolled in the session that is attached. If the attendee is enrolled they will show green and if they are not enrolled it will show red.
'Point of sale' is used for purchasing when the attendee scans. Attendees will have a balance on their profile and as they scan at certain stations the reader will take away from the attendees balance.

Definitions

Readers - 'Readers' is the software, we build the readers in dashboard under Onsite>Scanning>Reader setup. Readers are where we do the scanning on the kiosk app.
Scanners - 'Scanners' is the hardware used for scanning. We use Teemi TMSL-55 scanners and the handbook for these scanners can be found in the checkin app and here.
Kiosk App - Kiosk app is the app we use for scanning on the iPads. Kiosk app can be found in the Checkin app. When using the kiosk app you will go to this site scans.eventfinity.co to scan.

Onsite setup

When setting up Readers and scanner onsite you want to start with the iPad. Every iPad onsite should have the 'Kiosk App' already installed, if the app is not installed you can follow instructions here. Once you open the Kiosk app there is a modal on the right side and at the top there will be a place for a url, in that space put in scans.eventfinity.co. This will take you to the scans site where admins can log in with their Dashboard credentials (A tip is to create another admin for the event that is for scanning. This will make it easier to find your event).

After logging in you will have to find your event you have the 'Readers' setup in. Select the event and it will bring it to all the readers. Once the reader needed is selected you can pair the scanner to the iPad. The scanners we use are bluetooth so go into the settings on the iPad and then 'Bluetooth'. Hold the scan button on the scanner for 3-4 seconds (until you hear beeps to know it's turned on). After the scanner is turned on you should see it as a bluetooth selection on the iPad. The scanner name on the bluetooth page will look like SLxxxxxx (the x's are the numbers of the scanner, each scanner has a unique number). If you do not see the scanner on the bluetooth page turn off bluetooth and turn it back on, usually this trick works to see the scanner. If you still don't see the scanner try scanning 'Bluetooth GATT mode' on page 4 on the User Guide and also scan 'Switch Input Method (iOS/Windows) on page 5 of the User Guide.

Once the scanner is paired with the iPad go back to the kiosk app and the reader. Make sure the cursor is in the input box at the bottom of the reader page and start doing test scans with some test badges to make sure the reader is working. If the reader is looking for certain zones make sure to test attendees with and without those zones to make sure the reader is setup correctly. If the reader is suppose to update a field make sure to check that field after your test scans.

Onsite Tips and Tricks

There should be a power and internet drop at every scan station (we can scan on wifi but a hardline is always nice).
Try to always have tables for the iPads and scanner docks. This allows the iPads to be on a table and not carried. This also allows for the iPads to be charging.
Try to always have the iPads plugged in.
Make sure the scanner dock is always plugged in.
When scanners are not being used the scanner should always go right back into the dock to hold a charge. (Scanners should last 10 hours but have them in the dock just in case)
When scanners are dying you will hear consistent beeps notifying that it is dying.
Keep the scanners close to the iPads. The User Guide says 100 meters in open space but try to keep them within 5-10 meters for best practice. It needs to be close to the iPad so you can check each person after they scan.